Executive Summary

On the 26 November 2014, the First Minister, as part of the Programme for Government, set out the Scottish Government's vision that Scotland's land must be an asset that benefits the many, not the few. This vision promotes a strong relationship between the people of Scotland and the land of Scotland, where ownership and use of land delivers greater public benefits through a democratically accountable and transparent system of land rights that promotes fairness and social justice, environmental sustainability and economic prosperity.

Land reform aims to ensure the correct balance of land rights to achieve this vision. This can only be achieved through a package of measures, taken forward and understood together.

The current Consultation on the future of Land Reform in Scotland seeks views on a range of measures intended to further land reform in Scotland. Through this consultation, the Scottish Government is seeking your views on a proposed Land Rights and Responsibilities Policy to help guide the development of public policy on the nature and character of land rights in Scotland and on a range of proposals for a Land Reform Bill.